I didn't find myself annoyed by it, but I did find myself musing with other attendees how a lot of the most popular cosplays aren't even anime anymore.

To me, it was a sign that North American animators are finally starting to understand that hey, older folk like animation, too! (What else was there before: Heavy Metal, The Wizard, and Fritz the Cat?)

Anyway, I do understand both sides of the "but does it belong at an anime convention?" It's a touchy subject, that's for sure!

It is insanely touchy, and granted Japan hasn't put out anything crowd-pulling in a while (Naruto, Bleach, FMA), even though it's had some small hits (ie. Death Note). But when you think about what you're going to cosplay you think about how long you're going to wear it and how comfortable it may or may not be. It's why some girls change out of their costumes, or opt for flats instead of heels. It's why some prefer to wear a costume with jeans and a T (like Homestuck), even if it means a bit of uncomfortableness (horns and the bodypaint); It's overall comfortable. And yes, Kumoricon is welcoming to it. I never saw anyone jumping into the Homestuck photoshoot thread and putting a stop to it. Likewise to the My Little Pony thread. If people are so bothered by it, they should look at their own decisions and keep in mind that fans will wear what they want.

Sure, I was put off that so many weren't in costumes I could recognize this year, but that made those that I did know all the more gems to me. And really, if you take everyone who was wearing Naruto, Bleach, MLP, FMA and Homestuck and lumped them together, they're kind of equal. It might die down in a year or two, like the others, and they'll be cosplaying something else they enjoy.

However, it will also "die" if we continue to present an attitude of being offended and unwelcoming to these fellow con-goers, no matter the reason they attend.

I didn't find myself annoyed by it, but I did find myself musing with other attendees how a lot of the most popular cosplays aren't even anime anymore.

To me, it was a sign that North American animators are finally starting to understand that hey, older folk like animation, too! (What else was there before: Heavy Metal, The Wizard, and Fritz the Cat?)

Anyway, I do understand both sides of the "but does it belong at an anime convention?" It's a touchy subject, that's for sure!

It's so silly that it IS a touchy subject. If they want to get technical about it though, anime is just Japan's word for animation, or cartoons. In Japan, anything animated is called anime. Hell, Family Guy would be called anime. So therefore video games, American cartoons, any cartoons, and anything else that is animated is anime.

Can you hear that? It's the collective moans of indignant and weeping weeaboo. I love that sound. It's like crack to me, except without the felony charges.

On the current subject, you know, as long as people are having a good time (while being safe, following laws and etc.) I don't mind what people dress up as. They have enough passion to dress up as someone they like and that is what counts to me.

It's so silly that it IS a touchy subject. If they want to get technical about it though, anime is just Japan's word for animation, or cartoons. In Japan, anything animated is called anime. Hell, Family Guy would be called anime. So therefore video games, American cartoons, any cartoons, and anything else that is animated is anime.

And "anime" is American English's word for Japanese animation, which phrase Kumoricon's statement of purpose uses anyway.

And "anime" is American English's word for Japanese animation, which phrase Kumoricon's statement of purpose uses anyway.

Pffft, tell that to the weeaboo who want to punch me in the face every time I say it wrong. Lol. Not that it really matters. People who legitimately get upset over whether someone is wearing a costume from a "non-Japanese anime" to a convention of fellow nerds and dorks would just find some other ridiculous thing to be upset about if it wasn't that.I think the princess of zeal hit it pretty close to the mark. People are just there to have fun. Usually.

Uhhhh "anime" is the Japanese word for animation. Not the "American English's word for Japanese animation." That's how American's use it, but that's not what the word is. Seems like splitting hairs, but it's not an American word, which is what your statement sounds like to me. "Japanime" was the American word for Japanese animation until Americans picked up "anime."

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Line up:-Kageyama (Haikyuu)-Cordelia (Fire Emblem Awakening)-Marauder Ashe (League of Legends)-??? Who knows what else. Probably a cosplay I can wear my glasses with.

It's beginning to look like the point of "inclusiveness" and "exclusiveness" in this thread has sort of been beaten to death. Maybe we can shift gears to something else more benign but still aggravating?

Standing in lines when your feet already hurt. Sometimes unavoidable and just kind of comes with the territory, but still really annoying.

Uhhhh "anime" is the Japanese word for animation. Not the "American English's word for Japanese animation." That's how American's use it, but that's not what the word is. Seems like splitting hairs, but it's not an American word, which is what your statement sounds like to me. "Japanime" was the American word for Japanese animation until Americans picked up "anime."

It is indeed an American word also. It's a loanword, like many American English words. It's in American English dictionaries.

"Anime", when spoken in English among Americans, universally is understood to mean Japanese animation. It is universally understood not to include things like The Simpsons, My Little Pony, and Snow White. You can quibble about the boundaries (for example, does heavily Japanese-inspired, but American-produced, shows count; or do shows like Transformers, ThunderCats, and The Animatrix count). You can argue that the word shouldn't have evolved in the past to mean this, but the fact is that it did, rightly or wrongly.

The point was made in this thread in an attempt to show that Kumoricon must therefore be a convention about all animation. It's clear that the vast, overwhelming majority of founders and current staff understand Kumoricon to be focused on Japanese animation. (Some may want that to change, but that's different than trying to argue that really Kumoricon is currently and has always been just about all animation.) One can't change that by pointing out the origin of the word "anime", or what it means when spoken in Japanese in Japan.

The only thing that bothered me about the homstuck cosplayer (other than the few who were acting irresponsible) was the fact that there was so many of them and since i dont know it they all look the same... i like seeing varity. I think last year, death the kid was the killer in multitudes

The only thing that bothered me about the homstuck cosplayer (other than the few who were acting irresponsible) was the fact that there was so many of them and since i dont know it they all look the same... i like seeing varity. I think last year, death the kid was the killer in multitudes

There is always at least a handful of series that dominate. When Death Note was big, you couldn't go more than a few feet without bumping into an L or Light cosplayer. Same with Naruto. And Ouran Host Club. Hetalia the last couple of years?!

I don't really know much about Homestuck. It seems like it could be interesting enough, but the fact that there is so much content seems a little daunting.

How I was able to get myself interested in it was to realize that while the cosplays may appear simple enough, they are very visually striking. And that made them fun for me to look at, even if I didn't know the series! ^__^

The only thing that bothered me about the homstuck cosplayer (other than the few who were acting irresponsible) was the fact that there was so many of them and since i dont know it they all look the same... i like seeing varity. I think last year, death the kid was the killer in multitudes

I'm not even sure what Death the Kid is, but I agree with your point. Too much of the same series, or even the same character, can be a bit dull, especially for those that aren't too fond of such a particular series *COUGHblackbutlerCOUGH* Still, for me, I just try to enjoy what I enjoy, whether others do or not.

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;-; what i dont like is PEOPLE COSPLAYING A CHAR TO "FIT IN" >.< please please please make your self familer with the show/anime/ect >.< i was super said that 2 TWO!!!!!!!!!!! of the mountains of black butler cosplayers knew who i was.

granted a few non-bb people knew who i was cuz they're fans of the show. and they made me very happy.

but im SO VERY TIRED of people cosplaying something to be part of a group. come on guys cosplay something you actually love! >.<

I don't really acknowledge cosplayers who do it strictly for popularity's sake. The ones who cosplay characters they love, characters from series they actually know and enjoy, that's real cosplay to me. But I'm getting into dangerous territory, so I'll just zip my lip for a while.

;-; what i dont like is PEOPLE COSPLAYING A CHAR TO "FIT IN" >.< please please please make your self familer with the show/anime/ect >.< i was super said that 2 TWO!!!!!!!!!!! of the mountains of black butler cosplayers knew who i was.

granted a few non-bb people knew who i was cuz they're fans of the show. and they made me very happy.

but im SO VERY TIRED of people cosplaying something to be part of a group. come on guys cosplay something you actually love! >.<

just had to get that out there....

I will say that sometimes you would do it for a friend, I had friends who would be my Henry who never played Silent Hill for me.

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I think that's very different though. The motivation is doing it for a friend, or for a friend's group. It isn't the advantageous attention-seeking of cosplaying something you know nothing about, but know is wildly popular. Cosplaying something just because you know everyone will adore you is, to me, not a valid reason. It's on par with fashion and just reeks too much of superficiality and manipulation.

^ this this this this this this this this this this this this this this this this

sure for a friend is one thing or like a child to be with their parents or a new comer in your group.... ughhhhhhhh

its really bothering me more then it should it makes me feel like a little butt-hurt person but my goodness. i up and left the photoshoot for it because i felt like it was mostly attention seekers "oh hey every one knows that im sebastian everyones gonna love me" no. bad. come here i need to squirt you with this spray bottle.... bad kitty

It's just like... are you capable of actually liking a character? What anime do you actually enjoy? It's just hard not to question someone's "nerditude" when you see that little-by-little they are just cosplaying for the attention and don't know much about... anything, lol.

It's just like... are you capable of actually liking a character? What anime do you actually enjoy? It's just hard not to question someone's "nerditude" when you see that little-by-little they are just cosplaying for the attention and don't know much about... anything, lol.

I'd like to add that it's also kind of annoying when people just throw on normal clothes and say that they're "casual whoever", then get upset when you don't see it or recognize them on the spot as that character. It's one thing if the character actually has a canon casual outfit that's just kind of uncommon to see worn (sometimes outfits are just from an obscure portion of the series) and they're wearing that, that's completely different, but when it's just "oh, I guess they might wear the clothes in my wardrobe and I'll put on a wig" then it's a little irritating.

There are some people I've seen put together amazing "casual" cosplays, but most of the ones I see are kind of... half-baked at best. Unfortunately, that rings of elitism now that I say it and it leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. Oh well, food for thought in the end, I guess.

Then again, there are those that can't really afford to buy a new cosplay or make it so in the end, it's a case-by-case basis of whether it's within someone's means or if someone is being lazy.

I think that's very different though. The motivation is doing it for a friend, or for a friend's group. It isn't the advantageous attention-seeking of cosplaying something you know nothing about, but know is wildly popular. Cosplaying something just because you know everyone will adore you is, to me, not a valid reason. It's on par with fashion and just reeks too much of superficiality and manipulation.

I getcha.Tho nice thing about con ya find peeps who get ya,I wore a mpd psycho human flower pot costume (brain hat with a flower in it) that I liked but is pretty obscure, lost peeps though it was a plants vs zombies reffernce, but some people got it, heck said I made their day, I was stoked people reconized it, esp since its from vol of a manga, and an episode of a mini series

Just my PERSONAL opinion - I was a little put off by the Homestuck stuff. Why not go invade PAX instead? IIRC that con was originally based on an on-line comic, so maybe Homestuck would fit in better with their focus - so go there?

I don't want to be slammed for steering membership away, but maybe getting a huge draw is just "Not All That," if a central theme is dissipated? Would Kumoricon at 4500 anime fans really be COOLER in the right way if we added 1000 Steampunk fans and had a Steampunk track added to the program? Or if we reached out to the aging, 55yro+ Star Trek Fan set, and the cult of The Blake Seven and other cheezy Brit SF TV of the 60s thru 90s? Red Dwarf? Or Monty Python Fandom? The Family Guy? Stargate SG-1?

Will Kumoricon devolve into just a general animation convention rather than anime?

OTOH, when Kcon was small we pretty much had to take whatever came, and whatever we could get. But are we yet big enough to do like a bloated red giant star? - that is - blow off all the extraneous stuff leaving behind a shining, concentrated neutron star - a smaller convention maybe, but even MORE strongly focused on Japanese animation, manga (the real stuff with kanji, katakana, and hirigana on the pages) and side topics like tea ceremony, ikebana, how to make a haori or hakama, comparative religion of Bhuddist vs Shinto expressions in Japan, historical topics like the Meiji Restoration, comparison of the battles of Sekigahara vs. Gettysburg, using the abacus, how to cook authentic Japanese foods with American store-bought materials and cookware but make it come out really looking like what's in a bento, kendo and iaido, bonsai, and Japanese sword making?

Or is this the same thing as what ski hills went through in the 1990s when all the "kids" kept showing up with snowboards instead of "real, traditional" skis - a sport that goes back centuries.

Although ski hills made the decision that to exclude snowboards would make skiing an aging, dying sport. Personally I don't think that enhanced focus on anime with a cogent but less than complete exclusion of its imitations would significantly handicap Kumoricon.

This ties into my pet peeve: anime 'purists' who want an anime convention that is...well....BORING. I fully admit that I was one of the 'homestucks' at this convention, though I only climbed into that cosplay on the last day. I do plenty of other cosplay, including but not limited to anime (hetalia, tsubasa, gundam, reborn), british sci-fi (dr who), japanese superhero -tokusatsu- (kamen rider, super sentai), american superhero (power rangers), video games (vocaloid, kingdom hearts, dynasty warriors), webcomics (homestuck), and even mainstream movies or books (like hunger games and harry potter). People who think they can dictate what costume I can wear to which convention, or look down on me for cosplaying something that isn't "strictly anime" kind of tick me off. I love japanese culture, so much I bothered to learn the language, look up the history, try to understand the culture. But a convention only based on japan, and refuses to let itself grow, instead choosing to stagnate instead of adapt with the times. A convention like that would be too boring for me, and I wouldn't remotely be willing to bay 1000+ USD to fly there every year, or convince my other friends here in Oklahoma to fly there with me.

Holy ***, you guys, 125$ for food the whole weekend? That's my whole weekend budget. The 125$ for the con is gas (40$) and 40$ to buy stuff, and the rest is for food. But I always always buy food before the con. I come with my own pack of food, and carry water with me I ate at Subway once and it topped at around 7$. That's always been my rule.

However, I'm also tiny but I have a fast metabolism. I'm hungry every 2 hours, so while I am okay on this kind of food, I am always with a hungry stomach. Mostly because it's impossible to tote around the kinds of foods I need to keep that "full" feeling for longer then 30 minutes.

And speaking up to Hikaru, above me, It'd be nice if we could have Japanese history or something lessons. Not everyone has the time to learn these things in schools or freetime, or just don't understand it or have issues putting it together. If a panel or two was based around the historical history dating from 20k to present day (well not history if it's that early, but it's interesting to me lol) then yay. Even just one panel about the Japanese pottery (I can't name it at the moment) would be fascinating and I would go to sit in on it certainly.

I couldn't seem to walk ten feet at the con without running into some weirdo with candycorn coming out of his head. Homestuck cosplays were like the zubats and rattatas of the con. I'm not ripping on homestuck, since I really don't know much about it other than that it bores me, I just thought it was annoying to see like a thousand people "in costume" either wearing T-shirts with simple thingies on them, or painted weird colors with candycorn popping out of their heads.

Since you don't know much about Homestuck, you shouldn't be ripping on the costumes when the characters in homestuck really ARE kids with 'simple' but SPECIFIC thingies painted on their shirts, with very specifically shaped candy-corn-like horns on their heads. Alot of the ones who cosplay the trolls go to alot of trouble to make their skin the right color, buying cream and body paint (sometimes even buying a kind they are unaware of a previous allergy to, like the troll in our group), staying up nights sewing cosplay (you think those symbols paint/sew themselves on?), crafting horns out of modeling clay or even plushie fabric, burning themselves with hot-glue or stabbing themselves with needles accidentally, not to mention making all the accessories like the fabulous broken swords, turntables, guns, more guns, double tridents, etc.

Alot of work can go into a deceptively simple looking cosplay. People who bash those cosplays for not being "cosplay enough" really tend to push my lecture button. -_-;;;;;

I'd like to add that it's also kind of annoying when people just throw on normal clothes and say that they're "casual whoever", then get upset when you don't see it or recognize them on the spot as that character. It's one thing if the character actually has a canon casual outfit that's just kind of uncommon to see worn (sometimes outfits are just from an obscure portion of the series) and they're wearing that, that's completely different, but when it's just "oh, I guess they might wear the clothes in my wardrobe and I'll put on a wig" then it's a little irritating.

I kind of had that feeling with my casual Michiru (Sailor Neptune) this year, but also expected it. Even though the dress and hat weren't "normal" for her, they did fit her taste. Plus, I still had her hair, and for the people who knew/recognized me, they knew who I was supposed to have been. (What's really weird about that, though, is that I had more people remember my first Sailor Neptune appearance when I was male raver Pinkie Pie than casual Michiru...).

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I couldn't seem to walk ten feet at the con without running into some weirdo with candycorn coming out of his head. Homestuck cosplays were like the zubats and rattatas of the con. I'm not ripping on homestuck, since I really don't know much about it other than that it bores me, I just thought it was annoying to see like a thousand people "in costume" either wearing T-shirts with simple thingies on them, or painted weird colors with candycorn popping out of their heads.

Am I alone in this?

I will agree with Hikaru on this, I may hate Homestuck but my friends do put a lot of effort into their costumes. One spent a good amount of time in my bath trying to scrub off her body paint after Day 0 it still wasn't completely off and effort into her Tavros (Sp?) horns. Another made her Lil' Cal costume herself and I know she doesn't have much crafting experince. I also made a easy costume (Female Walter) but you know what it didn't matter that it was made that morning. I love Walter Sullivan and I loved being a fem version!

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I couldn't seem to walk ten feet at the con without running into some weirdo with candycorn coming out of his head. Homestuck cosplays were like the zubats and rattatas of the con. I'm not ripping on homestuck, since I really don't know much about it other than that it bores me, I just thought it was annoying to see like a thousand people "in costume" either wearing T-shirts with simple thingies on them, or painted weird colors with candycorn popping out of their heads.

Am I alone in this?

I'm glad I'm not the only one that thinks the characters have candy corn on their heads...

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I found annoying as cosplaying Excalibur is that after each round of Photos (I had a lot taken) I'd give a shout out to anyone want pictures. I take literally three step and get a requests for about 5 more pictures... Swinging a 25 lb head isn't easy to put on every other second, my arms are almost done healing from a riddle of bruises from carrying the thing.

And before that it was Naruto, so on and so forth. It's always going to be something, and I've been doing this long enough that I remember getting heat for wearing NON JAPANAESE VIDYA COSPLAY to a con.

Again guys, it just shows what people are into at the time and they feel comfortable enough to wear it at the con. That said, like Naruto and Bleach and all the others, it will die down in cosplaying to a degree. And some things come back. We have a significant amount of more Disney cosplayers then we had in years past and I don't hear anyone busting their chops about "omg I saw two Belles at this con! what the heck is going on?! that's not from Japan". Sure it's way less in amount of cosplayers, but what if next con we have as many people who were in Homestuck are all in Disney costume.

What if, hmm, it comes down to a character they like and weren't able to do it years ago and are now able to do? Or just that they started a thread asking if others were going to cosplay from that same fandom, and they're excited that so many others are a fan and willing to cosplay the fandom also. Isn't that good thing?They can make friends through commonality. Isn't that one of the basic ideas of what a convention is?

I'm annoyed every year about whatever the trend is, even if I happen to absolutely love the show/thing that the cosplays come from. I always go home thinking, "Geez, why were there so many *blank* cosplayers", But, like was said, trends are a part of life and it's a fun thing to look for every year. "What's going to be over played this year?"